Learning together to safeguard children: developing a multi-agency systems approach for case reviews

Key concepts and fundamental assumptions - Key practice episodes

This describes significant episodes that require
further analysis.

They can include particular actions/inactions
or can extend over time.

They can be good or problematic.

They are only a selection.

Building on the work of Charles Vincent and colleagues
(Taylor-Adams and Vincent, 2004) we have coined
the term ‘key practice episodes’ to
describe episodes from the case that require further
analysis. These are episodes that are judged to
be significant to understanding the way that the
case developed and was handled. They are not restricted
to specific actions or inactions but can extend
over longer periods. The term ‘key’ emphasises
that they do not form a complete history of the
case but are a selection. It is intentionally neutral
so can be used to incorporate good and problematic
aspects.